BARK (NYSE: BARK) CEO leaves Great Dane Ventures amid sale review

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

BARK, Inc. reported that Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair Matt Meeker has voluntarily withdrawn as a member and equity holder of Great Dane Ventures, LLC, an entity formed by certain BARK stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the company. After discussions with a Special Committee of the Board, Meeker chose to step away from this investor group while continuing in his leadership roles at BARK. The company states that he remains fully committed to executing BARK’s strategy and delivering value for shareholders. The Special Committee continues to evaluate any potential acquisition proposals alongside BARK’s standalone value with help from independent financial and legal advisors, and notes there is no assurance any definitive offer or transaction will occur.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

CEO exits buyer group while remaining in leadership, clarifying roles during potential sale review.

BARK explains that CEO and Executive Chair Matt Meeker has withdrawn as a member and equity holder in Great Dane Ventures, LLC, which was formed by certain stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the company. He remains CEO and Executive Chair.

This step follows discussions with a Special Committee of the Board that is evaluating potential acquisition proposals and BARK’s standalone value with independent advisors. Meeker’s withdrawal reduces overlap between company leadership and one interested buyer group while the review continues.

The company emphasizes there is no assurance any definitive offer, agreement, or transaction will be completed. Future outcomes depend on any proposals the Special Committee receives and evaluates under this ongoing process as disclosed.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date Earliest Event Reported):

March 3, 2026

BARK, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-39691

85-1872418

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

20 Jay Street, Suite 940 Brooklyn, NY

11201 (Zip Code)

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(855) 501-2275

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001

BARK

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 3, 2026, BARK, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing today announced that Matt Meeker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair of the Board, has voluntarily withdrawn from participation as a member in Great Dane Ventures, LLC. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.						Description
99.1						Press Release dated March 3, 2026
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

BARK, Inc.
By:			/s/ Allison Koehler
			Name: Allison Koehler
			Title: Chief Legal Officer

Date: March 3, 2026

BARK Confirms CEO’s Decision to Withdraw from Great Dane

CEO Matt Meeker to Transition Focus Exclusively to Operational Leadership Amid Special Committee’s Review Process

NEW YORK, March 3, 2026 — BARK, Inc. (NYSE: BARK) (“BARK” or the “Company”), a leading global omnichannel dog brand with a mission to make all dogs happy, today announced that after discussion with the Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, Matt Meeker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair of the Board, has voluntarily withdrawn as a member and equity holder in Great Dane Ventures, LLC, an entity formed by certain of the Company’s stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the Company.

As previously disclosed, the Special Committee is focused on maximizing value for all BARK stockholders, and will review any proposal to acquire the Company as well as evaluating the Company’s standalone value with the assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors. The Company supports Mr. Meeker’s decision.

Mr. Meeker will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and remains fully committed to executing BARK’s strategy and delivering value for shareholders.

There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the proposals or that any proposed transaction or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to the proposals received or any other transaction or proposal, except as required under applicable law.

About BARK BARK is the world’s most dog-centric company, devoted to making all dogs happy with the best products, food, services, and content. BARK’s dog-obsessed team leverages its unique, data-driven understanding of what makes each dog special to design playstyle-specific toys, wildly satisfying treats, dog-first experiences that foster the health and happiness of dogs everywhere, and more. Founded in 2011, BARK loyally serves millions of dogs nationwide with BarkBox and Super Chewer, its themed toys and treats subscriptions; custom product collections through its retail partner network, including Target, Chewy, and Amazon; BARK in the Belly, a premium dog food and consumables line that donates 100% of food profits to fight canine hunger; and BARK Air, the first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first. At BARK, we want to make dogs as happy as they make us because dogs and humans are better together. Sniff around at bark.co for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” "anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from any results or outcomes made or implied in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks and

information included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.bark.co/ or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

Contacts:

Investors:Michael Mougias

investors@barkbox.com

Media:Garland Harwood

press@barkbox.com

Jim Golden / Ed Hammond / Quinn Conway

Collected Strategies

BARK-CS@collectedstrategies.com

FAQ

What did BARK (BARK) announce about CEO Matt Meeker and Great Dane Ventures?

BARK announced that CEO and Executive Chair Matt Meeker has voluntarily withdrawn as a member and equity holder of Great Dane Ventures, LLC. That entity was formed by certain stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire BARK.

What is Great Dane Ventures, LLC in relation to BARK (BARK)?

Great Dane Ventures, LLC is described as an entity formed by certain BARK stockholders to submit a preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the company. BARK disclosed that its CEO, Matt Meeker, has withdrawn as a member and equity holder of this entity.

Does Matt Meeker remain CEO of BARK (BARK) after leaving Great Dane Ventures?

Yes. BARK states that Matt Meeker will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair of the Board. The company adds that he remains fully committed to executing BARK’s strategy and delivering value for shareholders.

What is BARK’s Special Committee currently reviewing?

BARK explains that its Board’s Special Committee is focused on maximizing value for all stockholders. It will review any proposal to acquire the company and also evaluate BARK’s standalone value with support from independent financial and legal advisors.

Is a sale or acquisition of BARK (BARK) guaranteed after this announcement?

No. BARK clearly states there can be no assurance any definitive offer will be made, any definitive agreement executed, or any proposed transaction or other transaction approved or consummated. The outcome of the Special Committee’s review remains uncertain.

How does BARK (BARK) describe its stance on Matt Meeker’s decision?

BARK explicitly notes that it supports Mr. Meeker’s decision to withdraw from Great Dane Ventures, LLC. The company simultaneously emphasizes his continued commitment to leading BARK and pursuing its strategic objectives on behalf of shareholders.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 8.5 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 15.3 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 27.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 15.9 KB